Our boundaries extend beyond our individual selves and are intertwined with the spaces we occupy and the connections we make with other people and the environment.
Complexity arises from interactions between elements, where diversity and feedback loops play a pivotal role in self-organization and adaptation.
The separation from the natural world and the complexity of modern society can lead to a disconnection from the unity of existence, but reconnecting with nature and engaging in contemplative practices can foster peace and resilience.
Exploring the interconnectedness of the natural world and seeking direct experiences through nature, contemplation, and study of mystical traditions can awaken a sense of unity and connection beyond conceptual understanding.
Deep dives
The Unity of Boundaries
Our perception of boundaries is limited by our skin, but at the cellular level, our boundaries are blurred. Our bodies are home to a diverse and vital microbiome, without which we would not survive. At the molecular level, our boundaries extend beyond our bodies, with the carbon dioxide we breathe out becoming part of the planet's biomass. At the atomic level, every atom in our bodies comes from the Earth. Our boundaries are not confined to our individual selves but intertwined with the spaces we occupy and the connections we make with other people and the environment.
Complexity Theory and Information Processing
Complexity theory provides a simple yet powerful framework for understanding how living systems self-organize. The gist of the theory is that complexity arises from interactions between elements, where the number of elements and the diversity of their interactions contribute to complexity. Negative and positive feedback loops play a pivotal role, with negative feedback loops maintaining balance and positive feedback loops allowing for adaptation. Randomness is also essential, as it enables systems to adapt to changing environments. Complexity theory also sheds light on the richness of information processing in living systems, highlighting the intricate connections between complexity, evolution, and the resilience of life.
Integrative Medicine and Complexity Overload
The rise of complexity overload, both in digital information and in societal structures, poses challenges to information processing and well-being. Algorithms that manipulate information flow without proper negative feedback loops can lead to a distortion of truth and cognitive overload. Moreover, the separation from the natural world and the complexity of modern society can contribute to a disconnection from the unity of existence. To find peace and resilience, it is essential to reconnect with nature, cultivate present moment awareness, and engage in contemplative practices that allow for direct experiences of unity and connection.
Unity in Complexity and Faith
The exploration of complexity leads to the notion of unity in the universe. Concepts like fractals and self-similarity reveal the interconnectedness of the natural world, reflecting the same patterns at different scales. While scientific knowledge and mathematical equations are valuable, they do not alone bring peace and resilience. Direct experiences, whether through nature, contemplative practices, or the study of religious and mystical traditions, help forge connections and awaken a sense of unity. Such experiences can go beyond conceptual understanding and offer glimpses into a greater mind or awareness underlying everything.
The Interstition: An Unexplored Fluid-Filled Pathway in the Body
The podcast episode explores the concept of the interstition, a fluid-filled pathway in the body. The interstition is a network of fluid-filled spaces that exist alongside collagen layers and cross organ and tissue boundaries. This communication network enhances the body's ability to interact and adapt. The discovery of the interstition challenges the traditional view of the body's anatomy and opens up new possibilities for understanding health and healing.
Boundaries and the Complexity of Existence
The podcast delves into the idea of boundaries in relation to our understanding of existence. It discusses how at various scales, boundaries are both essential and fluid. At the cellular level, boundaries blur as the human body interacts with the microbiome, which makes up 50% of our living body. The podcast also delves into the idea that at the atomic and quantum levels, boundaries cease to exist. This exploration of boundaries provides insight into our interconnectedness and challenges the perception of separateness.
Shamans, Mystics, and the Exploration of Consciousness
The podcast touches on the intersection of science and spirituality, particularly the experiences of healers and shamans. It acknowledges that scientific perspectives are expanding to understand consciousness, well-being, and the mystical aspects of existence. The guest shares personal experiences highlighting the potential for non-material realms and beings only accessible through altered states of consciousness. This conversation emphasizes the importance of taking a broader view of reality and exploring different levels of scale and experience.
Dr. Neil Theise (professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine) joins us to discuss how his adult stem cell and interstitium research led him to his "theory of everything", how complexity actually helps simplify our understanding of the universe, the illusion that humans are separate individual beings, and the scientific explanation of mysticism. He explains why philosophy, religion, and quantum mechanics fall short without incorporating intuition and human experience, how low-level randomness allows for adaptation, and why we can’t live forever no matter what we do. Dr. Theise opens up about his mother’s metaphysical experience with talking to dead people, his depression that stemmed from coming to terms with his sexuality, the impact of being a child of Holocaust survivors, and where his personal faith comes into play within his scientific work. He also breaks down healers and shamanism, chaos and information theories, the real definition of compassion, and the function and importance of microbiomes.
